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office politics

AW-fis PAWL-i-tiks /ˈɒfɪs ˈpɒlɪtɪks/

nounC1

neutralinformal

The activities and behavior involved in using influence and power within an organization to achieve personal or group advantage, often in a way that is not officially sanctioned.

Carries a slightly negative connotation, implying manipulation, power struggles, and self-interest rather than purely merit-based advancement.

The story behind the word. The term 'office politics' is a relatively modern compound, combining 'office' (referring to a place of business) with 'politics' (derived from the Greek 'polis,' meaning 'city' or 'state,' and referring to the art or science of government). It emerged to describe the informal power dynamics, influence, and sometimes manipulative behaviors that mirror the larger political arena, but within the microcosm of a workplace.

Word relationships

corporate maneuvering: More formal, implies strategic actions within a company, which can include office politics but also legitimate business strategies.
power struggles: A more direct and often confrontational term for conflicts over control or influence.
internal machinations: Suggests secret, intricate, and often devious plots or schemes within an organization.

Commonly confused with

organizational structure: Organizational structure refers to the formal reporting lines and departments; office politics describes the informal power dynamics and influence.

Collocations

navigate office politics
play office politics
get involved in office politics
avoid office politics

Example sentences

"Navigating the complex world of office politics proved to be more challenging for the new manager than managing the actual projects." Discussing challenges in a corporate environment.
"Some argue that understanding office politics is just as important as technical skills for climbing the corporate ladder." Reflecting on career progression.

Memory hook

OFFICE POLITICS is like a mini-government in the 'OFFICE' where people 'PLAY' for power. Office power play

When not to use

Avoid using 'office politics' to describe legitimate, transparent decision-making processes or healthy competition. It's reserved for the more informal, often covert, aspects of power dynamics.

Fun facts

The phrase 'office politics' became common in the mid-20th century as workplaces grew larger and more complex, leading to more intricate social dynamics.
Many management books and articles are dedicated to advising employees on how to 'navigate' or 'master' office politics, suggesting it's an unavoidable aspect of many corporate environments.

Related words

hierarchy, professionalism

Explore more words

clout, nepotism, Manipulation, Lobbyist, machiavellian, conflict of interest